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(No'ModeL) r J. 'W. H ARDI PNEUMATIC STORE SERVICE APPARATIN.

Y No. 289,649. Patented Dec. 4, 1883.

In vendor:

N PETERS. PhaIo-Lflhngmphen Wuhingloo. n. c.

PATENT I FFICE.

' JASON W. HARDIE, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

PNEUMATIC STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,649, dated December 4, 1883.

Application filed October 16, 1883.

ments in Pneumatic Store-Service Apparatus,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that ,class of apparatus used for pneumatically moving carriers, holding goods or cash, or both, between the main desk and counters of a store; and my invention consists of means, fully described hereinafter, whereby the carriers from different stations may be passed back and forth between the main desk and different stations through one conducting-tube, and whereby the carriers may be propelled in either direction by an exhaust-current, and in certain ,details of construction and arrangements whereby to increase the efiiciency of this class of apparatus and facilitate the operations of the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, showing a modification. Fig. 3 is a section, enlarged, of part of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is amodified form of valve-operating device. Fig. 5 is a view showing a carrier.

The device in a simple form is illustrated by the diagram Fig. 1, in which B is the position of the main or central desk, andJ J, &c., successive stations, either upon one line or route, when but one is used, or upon two or more lines leading each from a series of stations to the central desk. Upon each route, whether it comprises all or only part of the stations or counters of the establishment, are two tubes one tube, 0, being a conducting-tube, of any size and shape adapted to carry the cars, balls, or receptacles WV, for money or goods, or both, and the other tube, D, being an air-conduit,

7 preferably much smaller than the tube 0, but

of sufficient size to permit the flow of the desired air-current. These tubes, each of any suitable material, communicate each with boxes or receptacles E at the various stations and with a pump, H, or other air propelling or exhausting device, arranged, preferably, at or controlled from the main desk B, or from a point closely adjacent thereto, and .a receptacle, E, communicates with the conductingexhaust-pump H;

(No model.)

tube at the main desk. With these tubes and receptacles are combined valves, deflectors, or connections, whereby currents of air may be circuited at the will of the attendant, between the main desk and any one of the stations, so as to carry a car in. the conducting-tube between the main desk and such station. The precise arrangement and construction of these additional features are not important, and many different means of effecting the result will occur to any one skilled in the art. Thus, in Fig. 1, the tube 0 is shown as communicating with a port, as, in the side of each receptacle E E, and the tube 0 also communicates with each receptacle; and in the conducting-tube, adjacent to each receptacle, is arranged avalve or deflector, t, capable of being turned to I either of the positions shown in full or dotted lines, Fig. 1. The tubeO terminates in a flexible pipe, n, and the tube 1) in a like pipe, 11., each pipe carrying a coupling adapted for at tachment to the inlet pipe or nipple q of the Each receptacle E is provided with a hinged or sliding cover, to. If the cover to of one of the receptacles E is opened, and the valve i opposite said receptacle is set across the tube, and a carrier-car or ball,W, is then introduced through the port as into the conducting-tube, and the pipe at then put into connection with the pump, the exhausting of the air by said pump will draw the carrier through the conducting-tube into the receptacle E at the main desk. During this operationthe cover to may be open or closed, as air will enter the receptacle, if the cover is closed, through the tube D, a current being thus circuited between the main desk and station from which the carrier is sent. A return movement will be imparted to the carrier by passing it through the port as of the receptacle E into the conducting-tube, and closing the receptacle E, and forcing a blast into the conducting-tube, the valve or deflector i directing the carrier into the reprefer to use an exhaust as a means of impelling the carrier in both directions-a result which is effected in returning the carrier by closing the receptacle to which the .carrier is to be sent, and connecting the pipe n with the exhaust-pump-when the air, being exhausted from the receptacle,will carry the car into the same. A carrier is sent to or from any one of the stations in the same manner as described, the receptacles E of the intermediate stations being closed. By the use of the movable connections between the tubes and pump or other air moving apparatus, a single one of the latter will secure the requisite currents in both pipes O I), and with one, two, or more sets of pipes, it only being necessary to arrange the pump in a position to make easy connection with any one of the pipes at the will of the attendant. The pipes may all connect with the pump andcocks for opening and closing the communication at will.

In the arrangement shown in the diagram Fig. 1 there are two routes or series of counters arranged to be operated in connection with one pump H; but any desired or practicable number of routes may radiate from one center, to be operated by one pump in like manner.

In small establishments the directions to the attendants at the main desk and counters requisite to insure the proper setting of the valves and opening and closing of the receptaclesmay be given by word of mouth, but in larger stores signaling devices of suitable character are used. Thus a bell, M, Fig. 1, at the main desk, connected to be operated by buttons or pulls M at the stations, serves to signal the operator at the main desk when connection is to be made between the conducting tube and the pump, and a series of cords, wires, or electrical conductors, M extending from the main desk to bells T at the respective stations, and properly numbered, marked, or indexed, enables the attendant at the main desk to signal any one of the salesmen to close the receptacle or set the valve 2' adjacent thereto. By this means I secure an operative system whereby packages may be transmitted between the main desk and the stations of different salesmen, back and forth through but one conducting-tube, and without liability of interference of the operations at different stations. To secure greater ccrtaintyin the lastnamed respect, I provide means whereby the receptacles may be opened or closed and the valves 73 set positively from the main desk, and yet remain under the control of salesmen at different stations.

An arrangement suitable for use where there are two or more stations on a line is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, where each receptacle E communicates with both the main conducting-tube 0 through a lateral, O, and with the air-conduit'D through alateral, D, as is necessary where the main tubes extend beneath or over the counters, to avoid obstructing the passage-way Y. In such casethe valves 2' are arranged at the junctions of the main tube and from the arms f round guide-pulleys to the- I main desk. Connections are also made between the valves g and t. For instance, a cord or wire, Z, connects one of the arms f and an arm, r, on the shaft of the adjacent valve z, and a spring, m, bears on said arm 0", to move the valve in one direction. By this construc tion and arrangement the salesman at one station, on opening the valve 5/ to expose theport xto introduce a carrier therein, will by this act close the valve 9 of the adjacent station,so that the air, on the operation of the pump, must enter the receptacle at the point where the carrier is deposited and insure the movement of the latter. In like manner the opening of the valve 9 of one station from the main desk, S0 as to set the adjacent valve 6 and deflec the carrier at that station, will close the valve 9 0f the other station or stations and set the val 5 thereof, so as not to obstruct the passage in the conductor 0.

In place of mechanical appliances, as shown, I sometimes use electrical devices to move the valves where mechanical connecting appliances would be complex or impracticable. Thus, each valve-rod may carry a pinion, s, Fig. 4, gearing with a segment carrying or forming the armature of an electro-magnet, N, excited to lift or lower the valve 9 by a current made by completing a circuit at the main desk.

To enable the attendant to know when a carrier has been directed into a receptacle, each of the latter is provided with a glass side or top, permitting inspection of the interior without opening it and allowing the air to enter.

Without confining myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claim- 1. The combination,with the main desk and counters of a store, of tubes extending between the same, and valves and connections whereby a current of air may be transmitted between the main desk and any one of two or more stations connected with one tube, to move the carriers between said station and the desk, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with the main desk and stations, of two or more sets of tubesextending from the desk to different counters, and

means for directing currents of air between the main desk and any one of the several stations connected with one tube at the will of the attendant, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the main desk and two or more series of counters and conductingtubes, of a single pumping apparatus and connections whereby the latter may be put in communication with any of the tubes, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the conducting tube or tubes leading to different stations from the main desk, of series of signaling devices between the main desk and the different stations, for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of a pneumatic conducting-tube extending from the main desk of a store past two or more stations, and means whereby the carriers are withdrawn from said tube at the different stations, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, in a pneumatic storeservice apparatus, of a single conducting-tube, receptacles communicating therewith at different stations, and means for deflecting the carriers from the tube into said receptacles, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with the deflectors of the conducting-tube, of connections whereby the adjustment of one will set the others in their relatively proper positions, substantially as described.

8. The combination of the tube-deflectors and adjusting devices therefor, extending from the stations to the main desk, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the conducting-tube, air-tube, pumping apparatus, and connections whereby an exhaust-current through the conducting-tube may be created in either direction between the main desk and any one of the stations.

10. The combination of the main desk, stations, receptacle at each station, conductingtube and air-tube communicating each with all the receptacles, and valves and connections, substantially as described, whereby the air is exhausted from any one of the receptacles either through the conducting-tube or the airtube at the will of the attendant, for the pur pose specified. I

11. The combination of the air-tube, conducting-tube receptacles, valve z in the conducting-tube, adjacent to each receptacle,valve 9, covering the portal: of each receptacle, and connections between the valves of the different receptacles, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination,with the tubes 0 D, receptacles, and connected valves, of operating devices extending to the main desk, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the conducting-tube of a pneumatic store-service apparatus, and receptacles communicating therewith, and provided with transparent sides or covers, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JASON W. HABDIE.

Witnesses:

WM. TRUSLOW, HARRIS H. HAYDEN. 

